Updates

October 8, 2015 — At approximately 7:15 a.m., a custodian observed a briefcase style computer case stuffed in a trash receptacle on the second floor of the Donahue building. He notified the Campus Police, who responded and observed wires inside the partially open case.

The building was evacuated and all perimeter doors were manned to prevent entry. The Holyoke Fire Department was notified as was the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad.

Due to the hour, there were a minimal number of students and staff in the building. A RAVE alert was issued informing students, faculty and staff of the closure of the building until mid-morning. The Bomb Squad arrived on the scene and determined that the briefcase was in fact empty, except for some wires. At 8:05 a.m. the RAVE Alert was cancelled and the building re-opened. We have asked faculty to please give consideration to students with morning classes in Donahue who left campus or rearranged their morning schedules based on the information they received.

July 9, 2015 — The campus will be completely shut down on Sunday, July 19 to allow Holyoke Gas & Electric (HG&E) to replace the main electrical feed​ers​ to the campus.

Due to the age of the current feed​ers​, HG&E officials believe this replacement is essential to ensure reliable electrical service. ​ ​The college must be completely closed in order for this work to proceed. We have been trying to determine a date that would work for HG&E and cause the least disruption to the college. We just recently determine that July 19 is the only feasible date in the foreseeable future.Employees should shut down all computer equipment before leaving campus for that weekend. With the exception of designated Facilities staff andCampus Police, no one can be on campus that day. ​ ​T​he telephone system​ and all online services​ will not be in operation.

February 9, 2015 — The HCC campus will be closed today, Monday February 9, due to inclement weather. All day and evening classes are cancelled. The Bartley Center, library and other campus facilities will also be closed. For updates during closings and delayed openings, check the college website at www.hcc.edu or call the weather hotline at 413.552.2900 ext. 1418. Information is also posted on the college Facebook page and Twitter.

February 2, 2015 — The HCC campus will be closed today, Monday February 2, due to inclement weather. All day and evening classes are cancelled. The Bartley Center, library and other campus facilities will also be closed. For updates during closings and delayed openings, check the college website at www.hcc.edu or call the weather hotline at 413.552.2900 ext. 1418. Information is also posted on the college Facebook page and Twitter.

January 26, 2015 - The HCC campus will be closed today, Monday January 26, due to inclement weather. All day and evening classes are cancelled. The Bartley Center, library and other campus facilities will also be closed. For updates during closings and delayed openings, check the college website at www.hcc.edu or call the weather hotline at 413.552.2900 ext. 1418. Information is also posted on the college Facebook page and Twitter.

November 26, 2014 — Due to anticipated inclement weather, HCC classes will be cancelled and the campus will be closed on Wednesday, November 26, 2014. Classes and offices will close for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 27 and reopen on Monday, Dec 1. The Bartley Center will maintain normal hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Have a safe and happy holiday!

August 19, 2014 — HCC police participated in a SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) drill at HCC along with Massachusetts State Police officers. Part of a yearly training event on the HCC campus, the drills teach officers critical techniques and condition them to think on their feet under intense pressure. During post-drill assessments, trainers and trainees review outcomes and discuss how to improve response..

May 5, 2014 — The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is aware of multiple scams targeting universities, university employees, and students across the nation. The scams range from Internet fraud to intrusions. The following are common scenarios:

● Spear phishing e-mails are being sent to university employees that appear to be from their employer. The e-mail contains a link and claims some type of issue has risen requiring them to enter their log-in credentials. Once employees provide their user name and password, the perpetrator accesses the university's computer system to redirect the employees' payroll allocation to another bank account. The university employees' payroll allocations are being deposited into students' accounts. These students were hired through online advertisements for work-at-home jobs, and provided their bank account information to the perpetrators to receive payment for the work they performed.

● Scammers are posting online advertisements soliciting college students for administrative positions in which they would receive checks via the mail or e-mail. Students are directed to deposit the checks into their accounts, and then print checks and/or wire money to an individual. Students are never asked to provide their bank account information to the perpetrators.

● Perpetrators are compromising students' credential resulting in the rerouting of their reimbursement money to other bank accounts. The reimbursement money is from student loans and used to pay tuition, books, and living expenses.

● Perpetrators are obtaining professors' Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and using it to file fraudulent income tax returns.

● Some universities have been victims of intrusions, resulting in the perpetrators being able to access university databases containing information on their employees and students.

If you have been a victim of one of these scams or any other Internet related scam, we encourage you to file a complaint with the IC3 at www.ic3.gov and notify campus police at 413.552.2400.

____________________________________________________________________December 20, 2013 — Emergency Communications Tested, Upgraded: The Information Technology Department began testing emergency communications systems and made improvements. We implemented a series of tests, and sent out public address via telephone, text messing, home phones, and computer alerts.

The telephone system has been upgraded to ring, broadcast and flash visual alerts in all rooms. Hallway telephones are in the process of being replaced to provide the same capacity. We are giving special attention to an alert system that will include those with hearing and sight disabilities. Holyoke Campus Police: The Holyoke Community College Police Department (HCCPD) has taken steps to further enhance your safety. Recently, members of outside federal agencies have met with the campus police to reevaluate, and wherever possible, improve our safety programs. The HCCPD are also enrolled in regional training programs to maintain the highest of standards towards all security and safety concerns.

The current trends of campus violence in America have brought about grave concerns for colleges across the nation. In an effort to better prepare, the Holyoke Campus Police are currently in the process of becoming armed. HCCPD officers will soon undergo extensive firearms training in line with that of the State Police and local municipal officers. Updates on this matter will be forthcoming as needed. Actions Steps Outlined: Enhancing campus security and preparing for emergency events requires work from many departments throughout the college. In order to continue moving from planning to implementation, an Action Plan listing 46 specific tasks was circulated to responsible staff members of this college. The Action Plan incorporates general categories including continuity of operations, disability assistance, emergency communications and evacuation issues. In addition, we are looking at our shelter in place, incident management and active shooter response plans. These steps are constantly being reviewed with your safety in mind.

Lastly, Holyoke Community College key staff members, in conjunction with HCCPD, will soon meet with a professional management firm that specializes in advance security procedures. The purpose of this meeting will be to re-evaluate our current incident management system. Our goal is to continue reassessing and implementing only the best concepts and procedures for your safety.

Precautions

• Familiarize yourself with emergency phone and call box locations. Note that Emergency Guides, which give guidance on how to respond to emergency situations, are located near emergency phones, in classrooms, and in offices throughout campus.• Securely lock bicycles to the bicycle racks provided around campus.• Park in assigned parking lots.• Lock your vehicle and lock valuables in the trunk.• Report any suspicious-looking activity to the Campus Police immediately.• Obey the 20 m.p.h. posted speed limit. Campus grounds are frequented by walkers and joggers.

Although the campus is well-lighted, any student or staff member may request an escort when returning to a vehicle after dark. Dial extension 0 from a campus phone or ask the switchboard operator in the main lobby of Frost Building for assistance.